Vacuum insulated architectural covering systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for an architectural opening may include a plurality of panels. At least one of the plurality of panels may include a frame including a pair of rails and a pair of stiles secured to the pair of rails at respective interfaces. The frame may define at least one opening. The interfaces may be sealed in a manner allowing a vacuum to be created inside at least a portion of the frame. An inset panel may be secured within the at least one opening. At least portions of the frame may be vacuum insulated. One or more hinges may secure a first panel of the plurality of panels to a second panel of the plurality of panels. The member may be a transparent or translucent window. The apparatus may be a garage door, an entry door, a window, or a storefront.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally toarchitectural covering and more particularly, for example, to systemsand methods for a vacuum insulated architectural covering.

BACKGROUND

Insulated architectural coverings, such as garage doors, retractablestorefronts, and the like, typically have a metal framework filled withfoam insulation to reduce heat loss through the frame. Foam insulatedarchitectural coverings are often heavy and require heavy springs andother hardware to install and move the covering. Current techniques canalso limit when the frame can be finished in the production process,often requiring the frame members to be foam insulated and assembledpost-finishing, resulting in scratches, dents, and scuffs to thefinishing and the finished product. In addition, current productiontechniques are often difficult to automate. For example, foam insulateddoors typically include a bolted frame design, requiring expensive andtime-consuming assembly.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for systems and methods for avacuum insulated architectural covering that addresses the deficienciesnoted above, other deficiencies known in the industry, or at leastoffers an alternative to current techniques.

SUMMARY

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods associated with avacuum insulated architectural covering. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, an apparatus for an architectural opening includes aplurality of panels. At least one of the plurality of panels may includea frame including a pair of rails and a pair of stiles secured to thepair of rails at respective interfaces. The frame may define at leastone opening. The interfaces may be sealed in a manner allowing a vacuumto be created inside at least a portion of the frame. An inset panel maybe secured within the at least one opening.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a panel configured to atleast partially cover an architectural opening may include a frameincluding a plurality of openings and an inset panel secured within eachof the plurality of openings. Each opening of the plurality of openingsmay be defined by a pair of rails secured to a pair of stiles atrespective interfaces. The interfaces may seal the pair of rails to thepair of stiles. The rails and stiles may be vacuum insulated to insulatethe frame.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method may includeassembling a plurality of rails to a plurality of stiles to define atleast one opening of a panel frame. The method may include sealing theinterfaces between the plurality of rails and the plurality of stiles.The method may include evacuating air from an interior space of thepanel frame. The method may include inserting a transparent ortranslucent window within each opening of the panel frame.

The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which areincorporated into this section by reference. A more completeunderstanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to thoseskilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantagesthereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of oneor more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets ofdrawings that will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a multi-panel coveringfor an architectural opening in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the multi-panel covering of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a panel of a multi-panelcovering for an architectural opening in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the panel of FIG. 3 in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the panel of FIG. 3 withan air evacuation path in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a process of assembling amulti-panel covering for an architectural opening in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are best understood byreferring to the detailed description that follows. It should beappreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify likeelements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure,multi-panel architectural coverings, such as garage doors, retractablestorefronts, windows, entry doors, or the like, benefit from a vacuuminsulated frame design. The frame may define at least one opening withinwhich a transparent or translucent window or other inset panel issecured. Each opening may be defined by a pair of rails secured to apair of stiles at respective interfaces. The interfaces may be sealed ina manner allowing a vacuum to be created inside at least a portion ofthe frame. The architectural covering may include a plurality of panels,each panel including the frame design described herein. The multiplepanels of the architectural covering may be secured together via one ormore hinges to allow articulation of the covering as the covering ismoved between positions, such as to enable movement of the coveringalong a track between a vertical (closed) position and a horizontal(open or overhead) position.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a multi-panel covering100 for an architectural opening in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the multi-panel covering100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Thecovering 100 may be any type of apparatus configured to cover orotherwise fill an architectural opening 104. For example, thearchitectural opening 104 may be a framed opening of a structure orbuilding 106, such as a garage door opening, a doorway, a window frame,a storefront opening, or the like. The covering 100 may be configured toat least partially cover or fill the architectural opening 104. Forexample, the covering 100 may be a garage door configured to fill or fitwithin a garage door opening, a door configured to fill or fit within adoorway, a window configured to fill or fit within a window frame, or adoor or panel configured to fill or fit within a storefront opening. Forease of reference, however, FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the covering 100 as agarage door, though other configurations are contemplated.

Depending on the application, the covering 100 may be a sectional ormulti-panel door. For instance, the covering 100 may include a pluralityof panels 102 that together at least partially enclose an opening 104 ina building or other structure 106. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, for example, the covering 100 includes a first panel 110, asecond panel 112, a third panel 114, and a fourth panel 116 that close,cover, or fit within a garage opening defined by two jambs, a header,and a driveway or garage floor, though other configurations arecontemplated. For instance, the covering 100 may include any number ofpanels 102 and may be located in any suitable opening 104 of a buildingor other structure 106. The plurality of panels 102 may be configuredidentical to one another or may be different from one another. Forinstance, the first panel 110, second panel 112, third panel 114, andfourth panel 116, or any combination thereof, may be identical to oneanother. In some embodiments, the first panel 110, second panel 112,third panel 114, and fourth panel 116, or any combination thereof, maybe configured different from one another, such as include differingheights, configurations, or the like.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-2, each panel 102 may include manyconfigurations. For example, at least one of the plurality of panels 102may include a frame 120 defining at least one opening 122, and an insetpanel 124 secured within the at least one opening 122. For example, theframe 120 may define a plurality of openings 122, and a respective insetpanel 124 may be secured within each opening 122 of the frame 120. Theinset panel 124 may include many configurations. For instance, the insetpanel 124 may be an insulated member to provide an insulationcharacteristic. In some embodiments, the inset panel 124 may be atransparent, non-transparent, or translucent window. The window mayinclude multiple panes of glass, with the spaces between the panesturned into a vacuum or filled with gas with a lower thermalconductivity and heat capacity than “air.” The inset panel 124 may be apane of glass, polymer, metal, natural material such as wood, or othermaterial. In some embodiments, the inset panel 124 may be sealed alongits sides to interface with the frame 120.

In some embodiments, the frame 120 may define an insulationcharacteristic of the covering 100. For instance, the frame 120 may besealed to allow for a vacuum to be created inside the frame 120, asdescribed in more detail below. In some embodiments, the frame 120 maybe formed from materials with low thermal conductivity, such asstainless steel or other material, to decrease the thermal conductivityof the frame 120 itself. The low thermal conductivity of the frame 120may also limit or prevent condensation formation on the frame 120, whichmay be beneficial in cold weather applications.

Each opening 122 of the frame 120 may be defined by a pair of rails 130secured to a pair of stiles 132 at respective interfaces 134. Theinterfaces 134 may seal the rails 130 to the stiles 132 to allow for avacuum to be created inside at least a portion of the frame 120. Forexample, the rails 130 may be welded to the stiles 132 to create anairtight interface between the rails 130 and stiles 132. Welding thestiles 132 to the rails 130 may provide a more ridged frame that willleak less air than a conventional bolted design. However, althoughwelding is mentioned specifically, other suitable connection methods arecontemplated that create an airtight interface and allow for a vacuum tobe created inside at least a portion of the frame 120. For example,soldering, brazing, friction welding, laser welding, press-fitting, orusing malleable or compressible materials are contemplated in additionto traditional and non-traditional welding methods that may or may notinclude welding filler materials to seal the joint. Depending on theapplication, the rails 130 and/or stiles 132 of one opening 122 may alsodefine the rails 130 and/or stiles 132 of an adjacent opening 122. Forinstance, a single stile may define portions of horizontally adjacentopenings 122 and/or vertically adjacent openings 122 of the frame 120.Similarly, a single rail may define portions of horizontally adjacentopenings 122 and/or vertically adjacent openings 122 of the frame 120.In this manner, a single stile may run a vertical length of the frame120 and/or a single rail may run a horizontal width of the frame 120 todefine two or more adjacent openings 122.

In some embodiments, the plurality of panels 102 may be movablyconnected to move between positions, such as between a closed positionand an open position, between a closed position and an overheadposition, or otherwise between a first position and a second position.As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of panels 102 may be pivotablyconnected via one or more hinges 140. For example, the multi-panelcovering 100 may include one or more hinges 140 securing the first panel110 to the second panel 112, one or more hinges 140 securing the secondpanel 112 to the third panel 114, and so on. In such embodiments, thefirst panel 110 may pivot relative to the second panel 112, the secondpanel 112 may pivot relative to the third panel 114, and so on to allowarticulation of the covering 100 as the covering 100 is moved betweenpositions, such as to enable movement of the covering 100 along a trackof a garage door between a vertical (closed) position and a horizontal(open or overhead) position, though other configurations arecontemplated.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hinges 140 may be secured to the panels 102 inmany configurations. For instance, the hinges 140 may be welded to thepanels 102, secured to the panels 102 via mechanical fasteners, formedintegrally with one or more portions of the frame 120, or the like. Insome embodiments, the hinges 140 may be secured to the panels 102 in amanner that does not compromise the integrity of a vacuum within theframe 120. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the hinges 140 maybe secured to the panels 102 via a T-slot profile defined in each of thepanels 102. For instance, at least a portion of the frame 120, such asat least a portion of a rail or stile, may have a profile having one ormore channels or protrusions used to connect the hinges 140 to the frame120. In such embodiments, the head of a bolt may be positioned withinthe channel for attaching the hinges 140 to the frame 120. In someembodiments, the attachment mechanism between the frame 120 and thehinges 140 may be similar to the 80/20 system of 80/20 Inc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a panel 300 of amulti-panel covering for an architectural opening in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of thepanel 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referringto FIGS. 3-4, the panel 300 may be configured to at least partiallycover an architectural opening, such as a garage opening, a storefrontopening, or the like. In this manner, the panel 300 may form part of amulti-panel covering, such as covering of FIGS. 1-2, described above.Accordingly, each of the panels 102 described above with reference tocovering of FIGS. 1-2 may be similar to the panel 300 illustrated in anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 3-4.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the panel 300 may include a frame 302 defined bya plurality of frame members 304, such as a first rail 310, a secondrail 312, and a plurality of stiles 314 (e.g., a pair of stiles 314,more than two stiles 314, etc.) connected to and separating the firstrail 310 and the second rail 312. As shown, the panel 300 includes afirst stile 320, a second stile 322, a third stile 324, and a fourthstile 326. However, other configurations are contemplated, such as alesser number of stiles 314 or a greater number of stiles 314 thanillustrated. Accordingly, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 anddescribed below may be modified for different frame configurations. Forexample, in embodiments with only a pair of stiles 314 the second stile322 and third stile 324 may be omitted. Similarly, only one of thesecond stile 322 and the third stile 324 may be omitted, one or moreadditional stiles 314 may be added between the first and fourth stiles320, 326, or the like. The frame 302 may be similar to the frame 120 ofFIGS. 1-2, described above.

Depending on the application, the panel 300 may include one or moreopenings defined by the frame members 304. For example, the first rail310, second rail 312, first stile 320, and second stile 322 may define afirst opening 330 of the panel 300. Similarly, the first rail 310,second rail 312, second stile 322, and third stile 324 may define asecond opening 332 of the panel 300, and the first rail 310, second rail312, third stile 324, and fourth stile 326 may define a third opening334 of the panel 300. In such embodiments, the panel 300 may include afirst inset panel 340 secured within the first opening 330 of the frame302, a second inset panel 342 secured within the second opening 332 ofthe frame 302, and a third inset panel 344 secured within the thirdopening 334 of the frame 302. The first inset panel 340, second insetpanel 342, and third inset panel 344 may be similar or may be configureddifferently. Each of the first inset panel 340, second inset panel 342,and the third inset panel 344 may be similar to the inset panel 124 ofFIGS. 1-2, described above. For instance, each of the first inset panel340, second inset panel 342, and third inset panel 344 may be one ormore panes of glass, polymer, metal, natural material such as wood, orother material. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third insetpanels 340, 342, 344 may be a transparent or translucent window, such asan insulated window. Although FIGS. 3-4 illustrate panel 300 asincluding three openings, the panel 300 may include any number ofopenings, such as one opening, two openings, or greater than threeopenings. In addition, the stiles 314 may be spaced equidistantly alongthe first rail 310 and the second rail 312 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4,or the stiles 314 may be spaced unevenly along the first rail 310 andthe second rail 312 to provide a desired opening size and/orconfiguration.

The first rail 310, second rail 312, and stiles 314 may include manyconfigurations. For example, the first rail 310, the second rail 312,and each of the first, second, third, and fourth stiles 320, 322, 324,326 may be hollow members, such as boxed frame members, hollowextrusions, or the like. In such embodiments, each of the first rail310, the second rail 312, the first stile 320, the second stile 322, thethird stile 324, and the fourth stile 326 may include an internalcavity, which may run the length of the respective frame members 304. Insome embodiments, the frame members 304 may be secured together suchthat the respective internal cavities of the frame members 304 are incommunication with one another. For example, the first, second, third,and fourth stiles 320, 322, 324, 326 may be secured to the first rail310 and the second rail 312 such that the entirety of the frame 302 ishollow, though other configurations are contemplated, such as the frame302 being at least partially hollow (e.g., greater than 25% hollow,greater than 50% hollow, greater than 75% hollow, greater than 90%hollow, or the like). In this manner, one cavity may be created withinthe frame 302 once the frame members 304 are secured together. In someembodiments, multiple cavities may be created within the frame 302 oncethe frame members 304 are secured together.

The frame members 304 may be secured together in many configurations.For instance, the first stile 320 may include opposing first and secondends 360, 362, the second stile 322 may include opposing third andfourth ends 366, the third stile 324 may include opposing fifth andsixth ends 368, 370, and the fourth stile 326 may include opposingseventh and eighth ends 372, 374. In such embodiments, the first end 360of the first stile 320, the third end 364 of the second stile 322, thefifth end 368 of the third stile 324, and the seventh end 372 of thefourth stile 326 may be secured to the first rail 310, such as viawelding or other fastening methods. Similarly, the second end 362 of thefirst stile 320, the fourth end 366 of the second stile 322, the sixthend 370 of the third stile 324, and the eighth end 374 of the fourthstile 326 may be secured to the second rail 312, such as via welding orother fastening methods, which may be the same or different than theconnections to the first rail 310. The attachment of the first end 360,the third end 364, the fifth end 368, and the seventh end 372 to thefirst rail 310 and the attachment of the second end 362, the fourth end366, the sixth end 370, and the eighth end 374 to the second rail 312may be airtight. In this manner, the respective interfaces between thefirst rail 310 and each of the first stile 320, second stile 322, thirdstile 324, and fourth stile 326 may seal the first rail 310 to the firststile 320, second stile 322, third stile 324, and fourth stile 326 toallow for a vacuum to be created inside at least the first rail 310, thefirst stile 320, the second stile 322, the third stile 324, and thefourth stile 326, or any combination thereof. Similarly, the respectiveinterfaces between the second rail 312 and each of the first stile 320,second stile 322, third stile 324, and fourth stile 326 may seal thesecond rail 312 to the first stile 320, second stile 322, third stile324, and fourth stile 326 to allow for a vacuum to be created inside atleast the second rail 312, the first stile 320, the second stile 322,the third stile 324, and the fourth stile 326, or any combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, the first rail 310 and the second rail 312 may beconfigured to accommodate the stiles 314 and/or facilitate theconnection between the stiles 314 and the respective rail. For instance,as shown in FIG. 4, the second rail 312 may include first, second,third, and fourth apertures 380, 382, 384, 386 to accommodate therespective attachments of the first stile 320, the second stile 322, thethird stile 324, and the fourth stile 326 to the second rail 312. Forinstance, the first aperture 380 may receive at least a portion of thesecond end 362 of the first stile 320, the second aperture 382 mayreceive at least a portion of the fourth end 366 of the second stile322, the third aperture 384 may receive at least a portion of the sixthend 370 of the third stile 324, and the fourth aperture 386 may receiveat least a portion of the eight end of the fourth stile 326, or anycombination thereof, for attachment of the first, second, third, andfourth stiles 320, 322, 324, 326 to the second rail 312. In someembodiments, the apertures may fluidically connect the internal cavitiesof the stiles and rails. For instance, the first aperture 380 mayfluidically connect the internal cavities of the first stile 320 and thesecond rail 312, the second aperture 382 may fluidically connect theinternal cavities of the second stile 322 and the second rail 312, thethird aperture 384 may fluidically connect the internal cavities of thethird stile 324 and the second rail 312, and the fourth aperture 386 mayfluidically connect the internal cavities of the fourth stile 326 andthe second rail 312, or any combination thereof. The first rail 310 maybe configured similarly to the second rail 312 for attachment of thefirst, second, third, and fourth stiles 320, 322, 324, 326 to the firstrail 310.

In some embodiments, the ends of the stiles 314 may be sized and/orshaped to facilitate attachment of the stiles 314 to the rails 310, 312.For instance, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the first end 360 and thesecond end 362 of the first stile 320 may include a tab 390 forconnection with the first rail 310 and the second rail 312 to definerespective terminal ends of the first rail 310 and the second rail 312.Similarly, each of the seventh end 372 and the eighth end 374 of thefourth stile 326 may include a tab 392 for connection with the firstrail 310 and the second rail 312 to define respective opposite terminalends of the first rail 310 and the second rail 312. Such examples areillustrative only, and the ends of the stiles 314 may be attached to therails 310, 312 in other suitable configurations that seal the framemembers 304 together and allow for a vacuum to be created inside theframe 302.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the panel 300 with an airevacuation path 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.As described herein, once the frame members 304 of the panel 300 aresecured together, one or more internal cavities of the frame 302 may beevacuated and sealed to create a vacuum insulated panel section. Forinstance, at least portions of the frame 302 may be vacuum insulated toprovide an insulation characteristic of the frame 302, such as limitingone or more convection and/or conduction heat paths through the frame302. In this manner, the panel 300 may form at least a portion of aninsulated door or other covering (e.g., garage door, storefront, etc.).The vacuum insulated characteristic of the panel 300 may reduce materialcosts and/or weight associated with other insulated methods. Forexample, conventional foam insulation may be omitted from the vacuuminsulated panel to reduce weight and manufacturing costs. This mayreduce the size of springs and other hardware needed to lift or supportthe panel 300. In addition, a fully sealed construction may reduce airleakage across the panel 300, further increasing an insulatingefficiency of the panel 300. This may save energy costs and make anassociated room more comfortable.

As shown, a vacuum 502 may be connected to the panel 300, such as at avacuum connection 504 defined in the first rail 310 adjacent to thefourth stile 326, although other configurations are contemplated,including multiple vacuum connections 504, a connection at anotherportion of the panel 300, or enclosing part or all of the panel 300inside a vacuum chamber. Once the vacuum 502 is connected to the panel300, the internal cavitiy(ies) of the frame 302 are evacuated of air,after which the vacuum connection(s) 504 is/are sealed to create avacuum insulated panel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a process 600 of assembling amulti-panel covering for an architectural opening in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. It should be appreciated that any step,sub-step, sub-process, or block of process 600 may be performed in anorder or arrangement different from the embodiments illustrated by FIG.6. For example, one or more blocks may be omitted from or added to theprocess 600. Although process 600 is described with reference to theembodiments of FIGS. 1-5, process 600 may be applied to otherembodiments.

In block 602, process 600 may include manufacturing a plurality of railsand a plurality of stiles for a panel frame. The rails may be similar tothe first rail 310 and second rail 312 of FIGS. 3-4, described above.The stiles may be similar to the first stile 320, second stile 322,third stile 324, and fourth stile 326 of FIGS. 3-4, described above. Thepanel frame may be similar to the frame 302 of FIGS. 3-5, describedabove. The rails and stiles may be manufactured via many methods and inmany configurations. For example, the rails and stiles may be extrudedfrom aluminum, stainless steel, or other metal in many profile shapes.Depending on the application, the rails and stiles may be manufacturedin-house or may be purchased from a third-party manufacturer. In someembodiments, the rails and stiles may be off-the-shelf components orotherwise readily available in the market.

In block 604, process 600 includes assembling the plurality of rails tothe plurality of stiles to define at least one opening of the panelframe. For instance, the first rail 310 and second rail 312 may besecured to the first stile 320, second stile 322, third stile 324, andfourth stile 326 of FIGS. 3-4, described above, such that variousopenings are defined in the panel frame. The rails may be assembled tothe stiles in many configurations. For instance, the rails and stilesmay be welded together, bolted together, molded together, or the like.In some embodiments, the rails and stiles may be placed in an assemblyjig to assure proper assembly and alignment. Depending on theapplication, the rails and stiles may be assembled by hand, assembledvia an automated process, or any combination thereof.

In block 606, process 600 includes sealing the interfaces between theplurality of rails and the plurality of stiles. In some embodiments, theinterfaces may be sealed via the assembly process itself. For instance,sealing the interfaces may including welding the plurality of rails tothe plurality of stiles. Depending on the application, the interfacesmay be welded by hand or via an automated assembly (e.g., roboticwelding). In some embodiments, the interfaces may be sealed using one ormore additional components between the rails and stiles. For instance, asealing element (e.g., O-ring, elastomeric material, etc.) may be placedbetween the rails and stiles to seal the interfaces and allow the panelframe to be vacuum sealed.

In block 608, process 600 includes evacuating air from an interior spaceof the panel frame. For instance, once the interfaces between theplurality of rails and the plurality of stiles are sealed, the panelframe may be connected to a vacuum or placed in a vacuum chamber and atleast a portion of the panel frame may be vacuum insulated. For example,one or more internal cavities of the panel frame may be evacuated of airby vacuum. Once the internal cavity(ies) of the panel frame areevacuated of air, the vacuum connections may be sealed.

In block 610, process 600 may include finishing the panel frame afterthe panel frame is vacuum insulated. For instance, the panel frame maybe powder coated or anodized, although other finishing options arecontemplated, including painting, clear coated, or the like. Finishingthe panel frame after the panel frame is assembled and vacuum insulatedreduces the likelihood of the finish being damaged during assembly. Thisreduces scrap and rework costs and improves customer satisfaction withthe panel frame.

In block 612, process 600 includes inserting a panel member within eachopening of the panel frame. The panel member may be similar to themember of FIGS. 1-2 or the first inset panel 340, second inset panel342, and third inset panel 344 of FIGS. 3-4, described above. Forinstance, the panel member may be a transparent or translucent window.In some embodiments, the window may include insulation characteristicsitself, such as including multiple panes of glass, with the spacesbetween the panes turned into a vacuum or filled with gas with a lowerthermal conductivity and heat capacity than “air.” The panel member maybe secured within the opening in many configurations. For instance, thepanel member may be clipped to the panel frame, sealed to the panelframe, secured to the panel frame via mechanical fasteners, insertedwithin a receiving groove defined within the panel frame, among others.

In block 614, process 600 may include assembling a plurality of panelframes together to define a multi-panel covering. For instance, aplurality of panel frames may be hingedly connected to define aretractable multi-panel garage door, storefront, or the like. In suchembodiments, the multiple panel frames may be secured together via oneor more hinges. The hinges may be similar to the hinges 140 of FIG. 2,described above. For instance, the hinges may allow the multi-panelcovering to articulate as the covering is moved between positions, suchas to enable movement of the covering along a track between a vertical(closed) position and a horizontal (open or overhead) position.

Embodiments described above illustrate but do not limit the invention.It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variationsare possible in accordance with the principles of the invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for an architectural opening, theapparatus comprising: a plurality of panels pivotably connectedtogether, at least one of the plurality of panels comprising: a framecomprising a plurality of rails and a plurality of stiles secured to theplurality of rails at respective interfaces, the interfaces defined byends of the plurality of stiles positioned at least partially withinrespective apertures defined in the plurality of rails, the framedefining a plurality of openings, wherein each rail of the plurality ofrails and each stile of the plurality of stiles comprises an internalcavity, the apertures fluidically connecting the internal cavities ofthe plurality of rails and the plurality of stiles, and wherein theinterfaces are sealed in a manner such that the respective internalcavities of the plurality of rails and the plurality of stiles are incommunication with one another allowing a vacuum to be created insidethe frame; and an inset panel secured within the at least one opening.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least portions of the frame arevacuum insulated.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an entirety ofthe frame is hollow.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each panel ofthe plurality of panels is configured identical to the at least one ofthe plurality of panels.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprisingone or more hinges securing a first panel of the plurality of panels toa second panel of the plurality of panels.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the one or more hinges are secured to the frame of the firstpanel and to the frame of the second panel via a T-slot profile orprotrusions defined in each of the frames.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: an inset panel is secured within each of the plurality ofopenings; and an end stile of the plurality of stiles comprises a tabfor connection with a rail of the plurality of rails to define aterminal end of the rail.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theplurality of rails are welded to the plurality of stiles.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the inset panel is an insulated member.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inset panel is a transparentor translucent window.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus is a garage door, an entry door, a window, or a storefront.12. A panel configured to at least partially cover an architecturalopening, the panel comprising: a frame comprising a plurality ofopenings, each opening of the plurality of openings defined by a pair ofrails secured to a pair of stiles at respective interfaces, theinterfaces defined by ends of the pair of stiles positioned at leastpartially within respective apertures defined in the pair of rails,wherein each rail and each stile comprises an internal cavity, theapertures fluidically connecting the internal cavities of the pair ofrails and the pair of stiles, and wherein the interfaces seal the pairof rails to the pair of stiles such that the respective internalcavities of each rail and each stile are in communication with oneanother, the rails and stiles vacuum insulated to insulate the frame;and an inset panel secured within each of the plurality of openings. 13.The panel of claim 12, wherein the pair of rails are welded to the pairof stiles to create an airtight interface between the rails and stiles.14. The panel of claim 13, wherein each inset panel is an insulatedtransparent or translucent window.
 15. The panel of claim 14, whereinthe panel forms at least a portion of a garage door, an entry door, awindow, or a storefront.
 16. A method comprising: assembling a pluralityof rails to a plurality of stiles at respective interfaces to define aplurality of openings of a panel frame, the interfaces defined by endsof the plurality of stiles positioned at least partially withinrespective apertures defined in the plurality of rails, wherein eachrail of the plurality of rails and each stile of the plurality of stilescomprises an internal cavity, the apertures fluidically connecting theinternal cavities of the plurality of rails and the plurality of stiles;sealing the interfaces between the plurality of rails and the pluralityof stiles, wherein the interfaces are sealed in a manner such that therespective internal cavities of the plurality of rails and the pluralityof stiles are in communication with one another to define a continuousinternal space of the panel frame; evacuating air from the interiorspace of the panel frame; and inserting a transparent or translucentwindow within each opening of the plurality of openings of the panelframe.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein sealing the interfacescomprises welding the plurality of rails to the plurality of stiles. 18.The method of claim 16, further comprising painting, powder coating, oranodizing the panel frame.
 19. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising manufacturing the plurality of rails and the plurality ofstiles, wherein manufacturing the plurality of rails and the pluralityof stiles comprises extruding the plurality of rails and the pluralityof stiles.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising assembling aplurality of panel frames together to define a multi-panel covering,wherein the plurality of panel frames are pivotably connected together.